I'm putting together a TWF Slayer, and I can't make my mind up whether I want a heavy shield or a light shield. I'll list the pros and cons of both:
Light shield:
- Counts as a light weapon, so I can use a one-handed weapon with it for TWF (probably a longsword).
- Damage output is a d4 with shield spikes, d6 when it's Bashing. Coupled together with a longsword, that's d8 and d6, which is on average 8 damage, excluding STR.
Heavy shield:
- More AC.
- Counts as a one-handed weapon, so I'll need a light weapon to go with it when I TWF. Ideally I'd go with a shortsword, but a spiked shield also does piercing, and I'd rather change it up. I could go with kukris, but I don't really like d4 damage, even though the chance of crits goes up. Could go with a machete for similar crit range as a short sword, and a sap for similar damage and bludgeoning.
- Damage output is a d6 with shield spikes, d8 with Bashing. That's also a d6 and a d8, but on weapons with a worse crit range.
Ideally I'd get a Lion's Shield with the Bashing property, so I tend to go with a heavy shield, as I want to go that route eventually and I don't want to replace all my gear with new stuff.
Also, does the Bashing property overwrite the shield spikes? Shield spikes are piercing weapons, but Bashing makes it a bludgeoning property. Does it overwrite the shield spikes, or do I need to buy a new shield without spikes?
Nice, thanks! That saves me so much trouble!
